Sussex sacrifices are put on
record by Polegate author

Fred Wells and co-worker Dan Smith SUS-141208-114350001

A Polegate author and former RAF serviceman has published a photographic record of World War One graves of the Royal Sussex Regiment.

Fred Wells and co-author Danny Smith took four years to research and produce From Sussex to the Western Front. Part one covers the Regiment’s 106 registered graves in West Sussex and part two - to be published shortly - covers 183 graves in East Sussex.

Fred, 49 from Gilda Crescent, said, “The Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Photographic Project will take many years and with centenary commemorations upon us we felt the need to produce a book that groups the Regiment’s graves together and is a personal tribute to casualties laid to rest in their home county.”

Fred and Danny feared private war graves were falling into disrepair due to a lack of surviving family members and reduced graveyard maintenance budgets.

Fred is Fleet Improvement Engineer for Southern Railway and works with Danny at Brighton Train Depot. He said, “Although my English grandfather had served with some distinction in the Royal Sussex Regiment from the outset of the Great War, it was not until I met Dan in the RAF that my interest in military research truly started.”

From Sussex To The Western Front can be ordered from D&F (Sussex) Publications by calling 01323 482468.